Master Of None

Chapter 139: 139. The way of the rabbit

”Wait so do you build this every year?” This seemed impossible, a wall this size must take days for pack and stabilize, but they did every winter?

”Well of course, we move around constantly so we find a good place for the winter and build it up. A few snow footed rabbit traits mixed in here and there and next thing you know we have a few mages to kick up a blizzard or two. Work together for a few hours and boom got a winter wall to block the wind and keep out the pesky monsters.

Not to mention warm.” Not every day was Otis able to show off his peopleʼs winter creation. Most visitors were met in their normal wandering come the spring and summer. Almost none found or visited the tribe when they bunkered down for the winter.

This made sense to walker, as a species of animal rabbits werenʼt just rabbits. There were many variations. Ones that developed in cold climates, some in hot, others in swamps, there were many different kinds. This meant a that as Demi humans calling them just a mix of rabbit and human wasnʼt very accurate. The type of rabbit they had traits from would radically effect their system.

” I can see why you would prefer something like this in the winter. If itʼs warmer and blocks the wind it could be called a paradise in the plains during the winter.” Throwing a compliment  here and there seemed like the proper move to do win the trust of Otis, so thatʼs just how Walker operated.

”Ha! Laurence you found a good one! You know kid no one ever seems to understand just how grand out little winter wonderland is.” Laughing more Otis began leading them around the edge of the wall. The entirety of the wall seemed to be diamond shaped directing the consistent wind from any direction.

Seeing an opening in the wall enough just for two or three people to enter shoulder to shoulder Otis let out a whistle. Two cloaked figures came out of hiding places in the wall, they were perfectly blended in with the same white fur cloak Otis had to hide himself. Walker wasnʼt sure why it was able to blend so well so his curiosity got the better of him.

ʼ high yeti fur cloak

+4 mdef, +2 def

Snow camouflage

Made form Fur of a fifty year old yeti. Itʼs age allowed it to absorb significant natural mana. This trait allows its fur to blend with any snow in its surroundings.ʼ

His all around appraisal revealed low defensive stats but a unique ability. The fact that the fur had to be from an older yeti was also impressive. From walkers reading in the mansions library he had seen that the older a yeti got the bigger it grew. Meaning at the age of fifty it would be a tough opponent to take down, but also could yield high rewards.

This meant that the tribe was able to defeat some of the stronger ice elemental monsters in the area and even more northern near the mountains. His thoughts being interrupted walker Laid his eyes in what was within the wall.

Small round domed igloos made up most homes. Some had smoke stacks where others had areas set up outside them for fire and cooking. Even a few dining tables were seen scattered about. A few massive stacks of wood seemed to be the store for the winter. Along the wall some tribesman were tending to slightly melted or damaged parts.

The atmosphere was energetic and bright, there didnʼt seem to be a sad face among them. Rabbit eared children darted around here and there while adults chased after them. A training area seemed to be in use as teenage children seemed to be racing or practicing new skills. The most eye catching scene however was the large open square in the middle of everything.

”No one wander off, we need to head to the center and greet the elders. If they give permission we could be allowed to stay for a night or two. If not we will be escorted out.” Laurence hadnʼt mentioned this in the first place but it was plain to tell that there was no sure way to make them let us stay. It would completely be up to how the elders felt at the moment of meeting them.

Walking through the scatters igloo homes and little open streets many of the rabbit tribesman bartered with each other. Instead of currency it seemed they traded here and there for what they needed. This seemed much more practical for a group used to wandering the open lands.

Walker quickly took mental note of the things he could see them trading for. Some were trading foods, not a big surprise. He didnʼt see much fresh bread but a surprising amount of meats and vegetables. Some seemed to trading monster parts more than anything, this much be to craft unique equipment that the tribe makes themselves.

He knew he had the glacial wolf bodies stored away and considered trying to sell trade parts or all of them here. That would need to wait though, they had just reached the square.

The large fire pit had a small fire in the center. Five older people sat around it holding cups with a strong herby tea within. There were two men and three woman, these were the elders of the tribe. They may not have been the oldest but they were indeed the wisest when it came to decisions for the good of the tribe.

”Elders, I have returned from hunting after running in to my old friend Laurence. He brings with him two young ones from the tamers guild and six friends escorting him. These six consist of five who say they hold the title of hero, the six appears to be a newly hatched member. I vouch for them as head warrior.” Otis stepped back and awaited a response.

He had not known them all long but trusted Laurence with those he kept company with. He had also seen how the party acted around him and the tamers, Otis hadnʼt sensed a single bit of malice not even from a young dragon. The possibility that they really had the hero title did not seem as far fetched as the first second he heard it.

” oh hero this hero that anyone is a hero anytime. Itʼs all in perspective!” The oldest looking woman waved her hand not seeming to care about the title. She was the most bundled up out of the five. Her grey hair and floppy ears one of the only things easily visible.

” but the world did recognize them, thatʼs impressive enough for children like them. Even that cute little lizard there is a hero. Cant you see the worlds energy cloning to them? How pure.” The man to her right seemed much more cheerful and interested. But could he really see the worlds energy? He didnʼt even have open eyes yet spoke of seeing.

His hair was grey like the others but the fur in his ears was pure white.

” Ha! World energy thatʼs all you ever talk about. Youʼre an old blind fool. A dragons a dragon but if itʼs tamed weʼll need to watch out for its master nothing more.” What appeared to be the youngest one was firing directly at walker. She seemed to know he had the contract with midnight, however her words stirred anger in him and midnight.

He wasnʼt some ruthless master that drove midnight to follow his orders. The were equal.

Otis gave walker a death stare telling him not to move or speak. Luckily Walker knew how to keep his cool and relayed this to midnight mentally. If they got kicked out now he may not learn anything, plus they would all be out in the wind for the night. None of them wanted to go back out now.

” your hate of dragons is astounding as ever, just because one snacked on that leg of yours doesnʼt mean they all want to eat you. Just let them stay a few days Iʼm sure we can bleed them dry if some good stories to pass the winter. If they really are title holders than they can show off some interesting things.” The third woman had a discomforting smile, like she wanted to study a specimen.

He black ears twitching here and there listening for a response.

” you all just need to make your choices but at the end of the day our Otis vouches for them and in that I trust. Let the young learn from these new faces and let us old watch for any threats. As of now all I see is promise.” The last man was different than the others, scars shown on his face and one ear was completely missing.

Even though Otis was the head warrior the aura this elder gave off was much more threatening.